It has more than 1,5 million affiliates and is one of the 3 officially as representative recognized trade union confederations in Belgium.

It’s one of the founding members of the European Trade Unions Confederation (ETUC), as well as the International trade Unions Confederation (ITUC). On the international level, ABVV-FGTB is involved in a growing number of campaigns with other social movements (e.g. Climate Coalition).

On 25th February 2014, in Dusseldorf, at Ver.di headquarters, the German Sunday Alliance held its Annual meeting aiming at taking stock of campaigns in the different federal states and regional alliances with a view to protect a work-free Sunday and to defend the right for German workers and citizens to enjoy a common day of rest with family and friends.

Although Germany is the country where there is more rigid legislation as regards, for instance, shop opening hours on Sundays, late evenings and holidays, and has one of the most favorable working time regulation for commerce workers, many differences exist in the various German Federal States. This is the case, in particular, for those regions that have borders with other countries where opening on Sundays is subject to less stringent rules.

The European Sunday Alliance was invited to give a speech on the most recent European initiatives to protect a work-free Sunday. In particular, Laila Castaldo, UNI Europa Policy Officer for Commerce, spoke about the possible legal avenues to recognize Sunday as a common day of rest in the EU and the status of the revision of the European working time directive now that negotiations between social partners at European level have failed. Susanne Herkommer from the Brussels Office of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) and Anna Echterhoff from the Secretariat of the European Sunday Alliance reported on the recent European conference on “work-free Sunday and decent jobs” and presented the pledge. The pledge was then signed by candidates to the European Parliament Election who were present at the annual meeting.

The day was also marked by a symbolic action. Participants drew a graffiti on the street in front of the conference venue asking “Freedom for Sunday”.

The 3rd of March will be the European Action day for a work-free Sunday and in many towns in Germany demonstrations will mark the day.

The European Sunday Alliance welcomes a new member from the Netherlands!

The European Sunday Alliance is happy to inform you that as of today, the RMU – de Reformatorisch Maatschappelijke Unie – has joined the Alliance.

This Dutch organization defends the interests of employers, employees and the self-employed and is as such both a Union and an employers’ organization. It provides its members with information, judicial advice and help with negotiations. The RMU is a strong supporter of the work-free Sunday and we are therefore thankful that they have chosen to join us.

European Day for a work-free Sunday on 3 March 2014

European Day for a work-free Sunday on 3 March 2014

Pledge for a work-free Sunday

The European Sunday Alliance calls on all it’s Members and Supporters to support the Campaign

“Pledge for a work-free Sunday and decent work ahead of the European elections 2014”

A work-free Sunday and decent working hours are of paramount importance for citizens and workers throughout Europe and are not necessarily in conflict with economic competitiveness.

Especially in the present time of socio-economic crisis, the adoption of legislation extending working hours to late evenings, nights, bank holidays and Sundays has direct consequences for the working conditions of employees and for small and medium sized enterprises. Competitiveness needs innovation, innovation needs creativity and creativity needs recreation!

The objective of this conference is to highlight the paramount importance a work-free Sunday and decent working hours for citizens throughout Europe and is not necessarily to be set against economic competitiveness. All people in the European Union should be entitled to benefit from work-free Sundays and decent working hours. Read more and register

In its judgement (G 66/11-8) of 14 June 2012 the Austrian Constitutional Court confirmed that the prohibition on shop opening on Sundays and bank holidays is consistent with the Austrian constitution. The overall objectives of shop closing or opening hours are: the protection of the interests of consumers, the aims of the competition regime and the socio-political function. All of these objectives would be in the public interest, says the Court.

The National Court is Spain gave unions satisfaction. Supermarket employees will be entitled to at least five weekends off a year, regardless of the fact that their workload is divided over 4, 5 or 6 days a week. The National Court gave satisfaction to the CCOO and UGT unions against the sector's employers' organizations, which claimed that this right was reserved to 6 days a week. (Ref. 120408)

ANCI and the three Italian unions CGIL, CISL and UIL have decided to develop a permanent discussion table on the topic of liberalisations of working hours and openings of stores, norm included in the “Salva Italia” act, on which it is necessary to reflect and evaluate also in regard to possible effects and implication.